A Predictive Transcriptomic Approach to the Resveratrol-Mediated Reversal of Hypothalamic Alterations in a Mouse Model of Obesity

TL;DR

This study shows that resveratrol can reverse gene changes in the hypothalamus of obese mice, potentially offering a new treatment approach for obesity-related diseases.

Contribution

The first predictive transcriptomic analysis of resveratrol's effects on hypothalamic gene expression in a mouse model of obesity.

Findings

Resveratrol reversed several hypothalamic gene expression changes caused by a high-fat diet.

Key genes and pathways related to inflammation, lipid metabolism, and immune signaling were modulated by resveratrol.

45% of resveratrol-responsive transcripts were non-coding RNAs, indicating possible epigenetic regulation.

Abstract

Background: Obesity is associated with hypothalamic dysfunction characterized by neuroinflammation and altered transcriptional programs. While resveratrol (RSV) has shown beneficial metabolic effects in peripheral tissues, its central effects on hypothalamic gene expression in obesity remain poorly understood. This study provides the first predictive transcriptomic analysis of the hypothalamic response to RSV in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. C57BL/6 male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and then subsequently treated with RSV. Methods: Hypothalamic RNA was extracted and analyzed using RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and functionally analyzed through KEGG pathway analysis. Results: Although RSV did not significantly alter body weight, it reversed the expression of several HFD-induced DEGs. Key genes modulated by RSV included Aqp7, Ccl27a, Lta, Rilp, M6pr-ps, C1ra, Snail1, Gbgt1, and Ppargc1b, which are involved in inflammation, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and immune signaling. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant modulation of TNF and NF-κB signaling, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and phagosome-related activity. Remarkably, 45% of RSV-responsive transcripts were non-coding RNAs, suggesting epigenetic regulation. Conclusions: RSV reprograms the hypothalamic transcriptome in obesity, targeting both coding and non-coding RNAs associated with inflammation and metabolic regulation, independently of weight loss. These findings identify RSV as a potential central modulator of metabolic dysfunction and highlight the hypothalamus as a promising therapeutic target in obesity-related disease.

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